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Having worked as a college admissions consultant for many years, I know firsthand how crucial it is for students to have the proper help during this challenging time. Using my expertise in the field and real users’ opinions, I will provide an unbiased assessment of the admission consulting offerings in this Collegewise review. You should know what you’re getting into and whether the expensive packages are worth it before you shell out the cash for them.
If you’re looking for a trusted source to compare different consulting options, check out the reviews on BestCollegeAdmissionConsultants.com.
Pros & Cons of Collegewise
Overall, Collegewise is known for its professional and supportive approach. However, it does have some drawbacks.
| ✔️ PROS | ❌ CONS |
|---|---|
| Collegewise offers tailored one-on-one counseling, ensuring each student receives individualized attention and advice. | The quality of counseling can vary depending on the experience and approach of individual counselors. |
| Many counselors at Collegewise have backgrounds as admissions officers or educators. | Their personalized counseling is expensive and may not be accessible to all families. |
| Beyond just application support, Collegewise offers various services, including essay coaching, test preparation, and support for international students. | While they offer services for international students, their expertise focuses on U.S. college admissions. |
In my view, Collegewise’s experts need to put in much more effort to justify their exorbitant fees. Their inconsistent high-quality counseling, nonexistent guarantees, and average customer service make it hard to recommend them.
I advise parents and students in the future to look into other choices, such as hiring independent counselors who may provide more targeted and individualized assistance without charging exorbitant fees. If you want to improve your chances of getting into college, you shouldn’t spend thousands of dollars on a service that may or may not help you.
What Are The Main Admission Consulting Services at Collegewise?
I know from general practice that Collegewise provides various college admission consulting services, including personalized counseling, essay coaching, and test preparation. They focus on guiding students through every step of the application process.
While these offerings sound promising, the quality and value of these services are not as stellar as they claim.
What’s Included in Collegewise.com Packages?
Their packages typically include initial consultations, college list building, essay reviews, and interview prep. However, I have noticed that these services are very standard and often lack the depth you would expect for the price.
☑️ One-on-One Counseling
Students work individually with experienced college counselors who help them build a balanced college list, develop a strong application strategy, and provide support throughout the application process.
☑️ Essay Coaching
Collegewise counselors assist students in crafting compelling personal statements and supplemental essays. They help brainstorm topics, provide feedback on drafts, and ensure that each essay authentically reflects the student’s voice and experiences.
☑️ Application Review
Counselors review the entire college application, including extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and resumes, to effectively present the student’s strengths.
☑️ Standardized Test Prep
Some Collegewise offices offer test preparation services, including tutoring for the SAT, ACT, and other standardized tests.
☑️ Workshops and Resources
Collegewise conducts workshops and webinars on various aspects of the college admissions process, such as financial aid, interview preparation, and college selection.
☑️ College Lists and Research
Counselors provide customized college lists tailored to each student’s academic profile, interests, and goals. They also offer insights into schools that match students’ preferences and aspirations.
Who Is on the Collegewise Team (Are They Knowledgeable Enough)?
Collegewise often touts that its counselors are former admissions officers and experts, but in reality, the expertise can vary significantly. I’ve encountered several cases where counselors lacked in-depth knowledge of specific colleges or programs.
For example, I’ve heard from a parent whose counselor couldn’t provide accurate information about the application process for competitive programs, leaving them feeling frustrated and unsupported.
Does Collegewise Offer Any Extra Services?
Like BeMo academic consulting, they offer additional services like test prep and specialized guidance for international students. However, I’ve seen numerous complaints online about the quality of these extras. Test prep, for instance, is often outsourced to third-party tutors who might not align with Collegewise’s overall approach, leading to inconsistent support.
Do They Have Any FREE Services?
To be frank, Collegewise.com doesn’t offer many free services. While they have a few webinars and blog posts, these are more promotional than genuinely helpful. It seems like their focus is more on upselling expensive packages rather than providing accessible resources for everyone.
Collegewise Pricing and Guarantees
Collegewise’s pricing is definitely on the high end, with packages costing thousands of dollars. Unfortunately, not all prices are listed on their website. You must schedule a consultation to fully understand their other services’ costs.
Here are some examples of their pricing:
- 30-hour SAT 1:1 Test Prep/Tutoring Package – $4,950.
- 30-hour ACT 1:1 Test Prep/Tutoring Package – $4,950.
- 30-hour 1:1 Academic Tutoring Package – $3,300.
You would expect a seamless experience with clear results for these prices, but that’s not always the case. Even more concerning is that they don’t offer any guarantees regarding admission outcomes.
While this might be common in the industry, it’s still disappointing, given the hefty investment required.
Their Professionalism in Terms of Reviews Available Online
While some students report positive experiences, others have voiced significant concerns.
For example, on Trustpilot, one parent expressed frustration over finding affordable colleges independently despite paying for guidance. They felt that the counselor did not address financial constraints and suggested working with a separate financial counselor for an additional fee.
Another review highlighted issues with essay coaching, where a student felt discouraged by the feedback provided by their counselor. This student chose to stick to their original essay, which ultimately helped them gain admission to several prestigious universities, including Stanford.
Areas of Collegewise That They Should Work On (Their 5 Worst Sides)
There are several areas where Collegewise.com could improve its services:
- Many have complained about difficulty reaching their assigned counselors, especially during peak application season.
- There’s a notable difference in the quality of counseling depending on which counselor you get.
- Some counselors are not well-versed in specific fields or colleges, leading to generic advice that doesn’t help students.
- The cost of their services is very high, and there is no guarantee of better admission chances, making it a risky investment for families.
- Several families have reported feeling pressured into purchasing larger packages than they initially wanted, which can be off-putting.
These problems can significantly affect the overall experience for both parents and students. Addressing these issues would improve their service and get on par with companies like Admissionado’s admission consulting service.
❓FAQs
1. How much does Collegewise's services cost?
Collegewise’s services can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the package. For example, a 30-hour SAT or ACT prep package costs around $4,950.
2. Is Collegewise a reputable company?
Yes, Collegewise is generally considered reputable, but reviews are mixed. Some families have had positive experiences, while others have reported issues like inconsistent service quality and high costs.
3. Can Collegewise.com guarantee acceptance?
No, Collegewise does not and cannot guarantee acceptance into any specific college. They offer guidance to improve your application, but final admission decisions are up to the schools.
4. Is Collegewise worth it?
It depends. While personalized support can be valuable for some students, the high costs and inconsistent experiences reported by some clients may not make it the best fit for everyone.
5. Is Collegewise.com legit?
Yes, Collegewise is a legitimate college counseling service. However, it’s better to research and consider reviews before investing.